He operated largely as a defensive midfielder for Ajax but played as a left wing-back and a left-sided centre-back as Van Gaal's Dutch side finished third in the World Cup.

Blind told the media at the weekend: "I just want to be part of the team, in whatever role that is going to be, in defence or in midfield. I got a call on Friday night that the clubs had agreed a deal. I was with my girlfriend and we went to my parents to drink a glass of wine.

"I am enormously proud to be at one of the biggest clubs in the world. Everything has happened so suddenly. What exactly has gone off in the background only my agent and my dad know, but it was a very exciting and tense time."